Major Severe Weather Threat Later Today
An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player on the right sidebar of the blog. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.
As always… I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the Weather Xtreme video, which has all of the maps and graphics that go along with this discussion. Sometimes it helps you to visualize the various threats and issues. And, let me stress it makes no sense to try and compare this event to previous tornado outbreaks… 2011, 1998, 1974, etc. Every severe weather outbreak is different. We can make comparisons AFTER it is over.
MODERATE RISK: SPC has expanded the enhanced “moderate risk” of severe weather… the moderate risk is up in Alabama for communities along and north of a line from York to Demopolis to Selma to Clanton to Heflin. This is basically all of North Alabama, and a good part of West and Central Alabama. Of course, thunderstorms don’t know where this line is… it is just a guideline. And, we need to note the standard “slight risk” is up for areas along and north of a line from Mobile to Eufaula…. deep into South Alabama.
The moderate risk extends north into southern parts of Indiana and Ohio. And… SPC has just upgraded to a “high risk” for parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.
All of the information below should answer your questions. Remember, for those asking about travel, events, etc… those are very personal decisions that are different in every situation, and we can’t make those decisions for you. But, the information here should give you what you need to make an informed call.
TIMING/THREATS: There is no way we can give you arrival times of storms in specific counties or communities. The storms initially will develop in scattered, random locations. Storms have already this morning as I write this… but they are not severe. While we will need to watch the morning storms closely, the primary risk of severe thunderstorms will be begin early this afternoon… in the 1:00 to 2:00 time frame most likely. Storms between 1:00 and 8:00 p.m. will be capable of producing large hail, damaging wind, and a few tornadoes. Maybe even a long track tornado in the moderate risk zone. Then, after 8:00, the threat shifts to damaging straight line winds along a strong QLCS (quasi linear convective system) that will form ahead of a sharp cold front. The severe weather threat will wind down soon after midnight as the storms move to the southeast.
PLACEMENT: Basically ALL of Alabama will have a risk of severe weather today, but the better chance of a violent, long track tornado will come over the moderate risk area, north of a line from from York to Demopolis to Selma to Clanton to Heflin. A few isolated tornadoes are possible over South Alabama as well, but the risk is not as great there.
CALL TO ACTION: Please take some time to see our “severe weather resources” page here. You must have a way of getting severe weather warnings today and tonight, and that way is NOT a siren. Have a plan of action (know where you area going and what you are going to do), and have a readiness kit with everything you need. The resources page will give you all the specifics.
THE WEEKEND: Storms will end early tomorrow morning, and the sky clears tomorrow afternoon. The day will be windy and cooler with a high in the 50s. Sunday will be sunny and cool with a high in the 50s, most likely.
NEXT WEEK: Most of the entire week will be dry with highs in the 60s. See the Weather Xtreme video for details.
STORM ALERT 2012: Our annual severe weather awareness tour across Alabama has one more stop this year; we will be at Pleasant Valley High School in Calhoun County, near Jacksonville, on Monday of next week at 6:30. We hope to see many of you there.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…
Stay tuned to the blog for running updates on today’s severe weather threat…
Category: Alabama's Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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